About
The purpose of the CMRF is (1) to engage in, foster, and encourage basic and clinical research and (2) to receive and administer funds for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes - primarily in the field of rheumatology.
HISTORY – 1957 to 1990s
The Columbus Medical Research Foundation (CMRF) was founded in 1957 by Norman O. Rothermich MD and was under his leadership for the first 28 years.
During the period from 1957 through the early 1990's, the CMRF received some donations, but its primary financial support was in the form of grants issued by various pharmaceutical companies. These grants provided funding for the CMRF to conduct clinical trials and drug studies for arthritis and rheumatism using the newly developed treatments by these companies.
A major achievement of this era was the approval of Indocin in 1965, the first in a new class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It represented a significant advancement over aspirin and steroids in the treatment of arthritis. Dr. Rothermich was recognized as the “Father of Indocin” because of his pivotal role in the development of the drug.
At the same time, Dr. Rothermich established a clinic located at the Columbus Medical Center (1211 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH) to provide care for indigent patients suffering from arthritis and other auto-immune diseases. Dr. Rothermich appealed to his fellow physicians to join him in donating their time to treat these patients. In response, Waldemar J. Bergen MD, Vol K. Phillips MD, Marvin H. Thomas MD, and Sterling Hedrick MD, agreed to volunteer their services every Thursday afternoon. The drugs were provided by the pharmaceutical companies. Hence, the indigent patients received state-of-the-art treatment at the nominal cost of $2 per patient. These patients were referred by their family doctors and came from all over Ohio, many from Portsmouth, Jackson, and other Appalachian communities. At one time, this clinic cared for over 150 patients.
Norman O. Rothermich, M.D., 1966
Original CMRF board members, circa 1962: Starting at the top end of the table and moving clockwise: Norman O. Rothermich MD, Unknown, Floyd Turner, James Lingo, Richard Fulton MD, Emmerich von Haam MD, Unknown, Glenn Williams.
From these clinical trials and drug studies came many anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and other types of arthritis. Some of those drugs are as follows:
* Dr. Rothermich was known As The 'Father Of Indocin'
Dr. Rothermich was known worldwide for his work in the field of arthritis and rheumatism. He lectured the world over, received honorary memberships in four foreign scientific societies (India, Argentina, Japan, Portugal), authored or co-authored over 80 publications. He founded the CMRF and the Columbus Medical Center. Dr. Rothermich also founded the Central Ohio Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. And he served as President of the Columbus Medical Association. In addition to his successful private medical practice, he was a full professor at The Ohio State University, where he founded the Division of Rheumatology. He was the personal physician of Ohio Governor James A. Rhodes and accompanied him and his entourage twice on trade missions to China, just after China opened its doors to the world in the late seventies. He was recognized for his accomplishments in the fields of arthritis and rheumatism by a special resolution/commendation issued by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio. He was recognized in 2016 on the Upper Arlington (Ohio) Wall of Honor. Dr. Rothermich died in 1985.
HISTORY – 1990’s to present
After the death of Dr. Rothermich in 1985, the CMRF no longer had his dynamic leadership and, at the same time, the way that pharmaceutical research was conducted had changed as well. As a result, the grants to the CMRF from pharmaceutical companies declined significantly. That same year, his son, F. Donald Rothermich, was invited on to the CMRF Board as Secretary/Treasurer.
Ten years later, in 1995, the grants from pharmaceutical companies had ended, and F. Donald Rothermich saw the need for a change in the direction of the CMRF. He suggested to the Board that the CMRF become more proactive and establish its own grant program. Mr. Rothermich then made a formal proposal to the Board that annual grants of $1,000 to $10,000 be offered to support research and education, primarily in the fields of arthritis and rheumatism, thereby allowing the CMRF to remain dedicated to the original purpose of the founder.
Mr. F. Donald Rothermich was then made Chairman and President and given the authority to carry out his mission. Under his leadership, the grant program has been very successful. In 1997, $5,000 in grants were awarded and, in 2025, nearly $70,000 in grants were awarded. In total, over one million dollars in grants were awarded during that period.
Special recognition and gratitude should be given to the Glenn Williams Foundation (an original board member) and Marybelle Williams Foundation (Glenn's spouse) for their annual support of the grant program, and also to the estate of Lottie C. Lieberman for her generous donation.
F. Donald Rothermich,
Chairman
